The Federal Government has intensified efforts to promote gender equality and inclusivity in Nigeria’s agricultural sector through the ongoing review of the National Gender Policy in Agriculture and its Strategic Plan (2025–2030).
Speaking during the North-East Zonal Consultative Forum held in Gombe on Monday, the Director of Special Duties at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Kachalla Damaturu, stated that the review is to improve women’s participation in agriculture and tackle long-standing structural barriers that restrict access to land, financing, and training opportunities.
The forum, organised by ActionAid Nigeria with support from AGRA, GIZ, and Care International, brought together key stakeholders from government, civil society, women farmers’ associations, youth networks, and development partners.
“We gather here today to build upon the momentum generated by the maiden review of the policy, which took place on 24 January 2025 in Abuja,” Damaturu stated, noting that the process aims to create a more inclusive and equitable agricultural landscape.
She commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support for women’s empowerment in agriculture.
Damaturu recalled the President’s remarks at a Women’s Affairs Ministry event on 15 October 2024, where he emphasised that women’s participation in agricultural training, access to land, and financial inclusion should remain a top national priority.
“The President has consistently shown a strong commitment to ensuring that women farmers and people with special needs are not left behind in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda,” she added.
Damaturu highlighted that the consultative forum provides a platform for participants to engage in robust dialogue, share experiences, and generate actionable insights to shape the upcoming 2026–2030 policy framework.
“Our collective goal is to develop strategic plans that will guide our actions and interventions in the years ahead,” she assured participants, expressing appreciation to the National Gender Steering Committee, state officials, and development partners for their collaboration.
She reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to ensuring that the policy outcomes contribute to a more inclusive, equitable, and productive agricultural sector, strengthening food security and rural livelihoods nationwide.
Source: Punch
